Atone, Please

Father Balin was furiously berating the unlucky Dragon Cavalry and Copper Hats. Mr. Grong, also furious, led a large contingent up to the dormitories. As one of the Empire's top institutions, Fifth University had nearly a hundred guards stationed on its vast campus. Furthermore, the disciplinary office, specifically tasked with student conduct, also had a group of burly teachers and students who could be mobilized.

A full two hundred people followed Mr. Grong up to the dormitories, completely blocking a corridor. Even more shocking was that among the guards behind Mr. Grong, there were ten half-orcs. Judging by their bulging foreheads, thick black body hair distinct from normal humans, and elongated faces, these ten half-orcs were likely the offspring of minotaurs and humans.

The Hundred-Year Land-Island War had seen continuous conflict between the Five Great Archipelagos of the North and the mainland nations, resulting in quite a few of these mixed-race individuals. Some half-orcs with inherently brutal and violent natures had already been executed by the Empire and the Church. However, mixed-race descendants like minotaurs, known for their honest and steady temperaments, served in many human Empires.

After all, minotaurs were naturally loyal and reliable. Once tamed, they became the most devoted subordinates, and their physical strength was several times that of ordinary people, possessing a divine power that commanded awe. Even the mixed-race descendants of minotaurs were excellent candidates for warriors; their progress in cultivating Dou Qi was also much stronger than that of ordinary people.

Moreover, these mixed-race individuals did not hold high positions. They generally served as laborers or ordinary guards, and their wages and benefits were not as good as those of ordinary people of equivalent status. Therefore, the appearance of ten minotaur half-orcs among the Fifth University guards was not unusual. However, for these Dragon Cavalry and Copper Hats, ten strong and powerful minotaur descendants represented a significant threat.

Mr. Grong angrily waved his cane, approaching the stunned, unlucky individuals step by step, his voice stern as he berated them word by word: "Who gave you the authority? Who gave you the courage to violently storm the campus of Fifth University?"

Raising one finger, Mr. Grong sneered: "First, you disrupted the normal teaching order of the campus. I will petition the Minister of Education to lodge a protest with the military and the police department."

The Dragon Cavalry and Copper Hats shivered simultaneously, sweat even dripping from their foreheads.

Raising a second finger, Mr. Grong coldly laughed: "Second, you violently destroyed the dormitory door of this school. As public officials of the Empire, you openly destroyed Imperial property. For this crime, I will file a complaint with the Imperial Ministry of Finance and the Imperial Ministry of Education!"

Those Dragon Cavalry and Copper Hats simultaneously took a step back, exposing two dumbfounded individuals still holding the door-breaking hammers.

Mr. Grong didn't even bother to look at the two trembling Dragon Cavalry members. He raised a third finger and gnashed his teeth, berating: "Third, this is a sacred campus, a place where the Empire cultivates talent. How dare you draw your swords and threaten an outstanding student? Who gave you this authority? Do you remember the last article of the Imperial Education Law?"

The Dragon Cavalry looked blankly at Mr. Grong. As Dragon Cavalry, they were the standing elite force of the Imperial Capital, Berely. They were skilled in combat and warfare, but they were truly ignorant of the Empire's legal statutes. However, the cold sweat on the foreheads of the Copper Hats increased. As secret police, an important component of the Empire's law enforcement agencies, how could they not be familiar with the Imperial Education Law?

The last article of the Imperial Education Law: Any university student of the Empire who violates the laws of the Empire must first lodge a complaint with the school before proceeding with enforcement.

The Empire was vast and populous, but those who could enter Berely University City, especially the top universities, were all outstanding talents of the Empire with exceptional intelligence and character. Therefore, the last article of the Imperial Education Law granted them a special privilege. Even the secret police, whose power was nearly limitless, had to go through the school and consult with them before enforcing the law on a student.

Regardless, today, these Dragon Cavalry and Copper Hats had directly entered the dormitory building without notifying the Fifth University administration, intending to arrest Lin Qi. They had even violently broken down Lin Qi's door and drawn their weapons to threaten him. If all this were to be thoroughly investigated, they would first have violated Imperial law.

The expressions of the Dragon Cavalry eased slightly. They were unfamiliar with legal statutes, so this responsibility should not fall on them.

The Copper Hats, however, looked extremely grim, as if they had lost their own fathers. The thin Copper Hat stammered an explanation: "Your Excellency, please hear me out."

Father Balin suddenly leaped three feet into the air and slapped the thin Copper Hat across the face, nearly knocking him to the ground. Father Balin roared furiously: "Explain what? What is there to explain? Explain it to the Holy Tribunal! You sinners, how dare you interrupt Lin Qi's work! He was transcribing prayer scrolls for me! You heretics who blaspheme the Deity!"

Mr. Grong's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked approvingly at Father Balin.

Father Balin was the intermediary between Mr. Grong and many others. Many of Mr. Grong's less savory affairs were handled through Father Balin. Therefore, Mr. Grong knew Father Balin's character very well; they were old acquaintances and friends.

Seeing Father Balin suddenly take action, Mr. Grong coughed heavily and loudly reprimanded: "Respected Father Balin, did they also disrupt the sacred transcription of prayers? Damn it, the transcription of prayer scrolls cannot be interrupted! These heretics, I will jointly report them to the Holy Tribunal with you! They all deserve the most severe punishment!"

Father Balin nodded repeatedly with a grim expression. At this moment, Mr. Grong, representing secular power, and Father Balin, representing divine authority, formed a perfect partnership. They majestically looked down upon these Dragon Cavalry and Copper Hats, intimidating them into utter silence.

The thin Copper Hat, who had just been slapped, was on the verge of tears. He stammered, wanting to say something, but under the powerful pressure of Mr. Grong and Father Balin, he, a mere low-ranking officer, could only cower and lower his head, passively awaiting the judgment of fate.

Lin Qi walked out of the room with a grim expression. He glanced at Father Balin, then walked to Mr. Grong's side and respectfully bowed.

"Your Excellency, Dean of Academic Affairs, Your Reverence, they have indeed committed an unforgivable sin. However, by the grace of the great Deity, their sins are not heinous enough to warrant the ultimate punishment."

Father Balin's eyes suddenly lit up. He took out a thick roll of Atonement Talismans from his sleeve.

"Lost children, atone for your sins!"